Player feature: Reece Theunis (SACS)

South African College High School (SACS) dangerman, Reece Theunis, is aiming to play a pivotal role for his side during the remainder of the hockey season, which concludes next month.
Theunis has been a key contributor in this year’s SACS side, thanks to his goalscoring prowess and his work off the ball.
In the winter holidays, he represented Western Province u18A at the SASHOC National Week, and along with seven of his teammates helped the team capture a third consecutive provincial title in Bloemfontein.
After the tournament, the 17-year-old was named in the SA Schools u18A side and has recently been included for a second year running in the SA u17 team, which will contest the Mirnawan Cup in Malaysia later this year.
Ahead of his side’s big showdown clash with Paul Roos Gimnasium on Wednesday, SuperSport Schools Plus hockey writer, Avuyile Sawula, interviewed the striker.
Their conversation centred around the current season, the step up from junior to senior hockey, and representing South Africa.
You’ve been at SACS from an early age. How would you say life has been at the primary and high schools?
It’s been quite special, especially on the hockey front. I came here wanting to play hockey, and since junior school it’s been a dream of mine to play for the first team.
I’m currently in that position now, and I’m just grateful to be representing the school.
How would you describe the current 2024 season so far?
Yeah, this season, so far, has been quite great, I won’t lie.
We’ve had our ups and downs, but that’s always going to happen. We lost once against Paul Roos Gimnasium in the final of the Hibbert Shield but, other than that, we’ve done well.
We’ve practiced for months and months doing the small things right and coming into the final stretch of the season, we’re looking to finish strong.
You played in the u16 team last year. How has the step up been from junior hockey to first team level?
Yeah, the move up from u16 to the first team has forced me to mature a lot on and off the field. I’ve been training much better, and the level is just different. I think I’ve managed to get used to the tempo of the game, but I’m still a work in progress.
You represented Western Province at the u16 SASHOC National Week last year, winning that title, and then went on to represent SA at the u17 Mirnawan Cup in Malaysia. How were those experiences for you?
It was amazing, you know. We went into that IPT tournament looking to do something different after we finished in third place two years ago, and to go and win it was something special.
And then going on to make the South African team was a privilege from day one. And when I got selected to play for the SA u17s in Malaysia, that was special, and I made some memories I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Who would you say inspires you to be a better player?
I think the obvious answer would be my dad.
In junior school, I wasn’t a massive hockey fan, and he insisted I play all the time.
He pushed me to train, invested in my hockey, and allowed me to go on all these tours around the country and to Malaysia, of course.
What sort of influence have your coaches had on you over the years?
Yeah, you know guys like Coach Sam [Holmes], Mr. Stu Barnard, and Mr Pevs [James Peverley] have been a big influence on how I’ve matured as a player.
They’ve pushed me since day one to always take my chances, and they’ve instilled this belief that I shouldn’t fear not scoring. They’ve also motivated me to do better because they know I’m far from reaching my full potential.
How do you feel about the second half of the season, and what do you think will be key for SACS to finish on a high?
I think the approach will be the same as last year.
After the IPTs, you sort of come back stronger because of the break, especially if it was a good break. When you get back, you’re hungrier to get on the pitch and play again.
This term we’ll face teams like Paul Roos, Wynberg, and Bishops, and all of those are top-quality teams that will give us a run for our money.
We just need to keep doing what we’re doing. It will be tough, but we are ready.
Favourite meal?
Nachos
Favourite movie/series?
Manifest
Other Sports you play?
Cricket and golf
Hobbies and interest?
Listening to music
Travelling